Citing the atrocities committed by the RAF (Red Army Faction) over decades, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) has expressed his support for establishing a central memorial for the victims of the terror campaign. Dobrindt told the “Bild” that setting up a monument to commemorate the victims of left-wing terrorism in Germany is a justified aspiration.
In a related move, Culture Minister Wolfram Weimer announced that he would examine the proposal for inclusion in the recognition plans ahead of the 50th anniversary in 2027. According to his spokesperson to the “Bild,” underscoring the need for younger generations to understand the path of political extremism is crucial, and the remembrance must serve as a warning about the importance of defending a democratic state. He intends to consider the wishes of the victims’ families for the 2027 commemorative year.
The year 2027 marks the 50th anniversary of the “German Autumn.” This period included the assassinations of key figures, including Federal Prosecutor General Siegfried Buback, Dresdner Bank chief Jürgen Ponto, and Employer President Hanns Martin Schleyer, all carried out by the RAF.
Support for the memorial initiative is also coming from Berlin. Cultural Senator Stefan Evers (CDU) told the newspaper that the victims of RAF terrorism represented the principles of the free democratic order that the RAF sought to destroy, and today, preserving an honorable memory for them and their relatives is essential. He welcomed the idea of a public remembrance, particularly during times when extremism and terror pose threats to peaceful, communal life. This push for a central memorial has previously been championed by Bavaria’s Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann (CSU), along with members of several RAF victims’ families.
